Camino Schmid from Puerto de Navacerrada to Cercedilla
Camino Schmid from Puerto de Navacerrada to Cercedilla
Camino Schmid is one of those Guadarrama classics people actually use. You start at Puerto de Navacerrada and walk down through pine forest toward Cercedilla, with Siete Picos on your right and yellow circle marks keeping you honest.
Most people do it one way, high to low. That way the hard work is mostly behind you after the first stretch. It feels like a proper mountain day without being a sufferfest, unless you hit ice or deep snow.
Quick facts
- Start: Puerto de Navacerrada
- Finish: toward Cercedilla / Pradera de los Corralillos
- Distance: about 7 km to the Corralillos area; longer if you walk into the village
- Time: 2.5 to 4 hours one way
- Feel: easy to moderate if you start at the pass
- Type: linear. Plan your return before you leave
The walk
From the pass, pick up the Escaparate track and stay with the Camino Schmid marks. You spend a lot of time under pine, with a short rise to Collado Ventoso, then a longish descent into the Fuenfría side. Roots, dirt, a few rocky stretches. Nothing technical in summer.
In fog, stick to the marks. Don't invent shortcuts across ski or service tracks.
Getting there
Bus 691 from Moncloa goes to the pass. Coming back, many people train or bus from Cercedilla (684 is one option). Train via Cercedilla plus the C-9 up to the pass also works when that service is running. A car only makes sense if you've sorted the one-way logistics.
What to pack
Shoes with grip, water, a layer for the pass wind, and an offline map. Winter can be a different hike entirely. Poles and traction if it's icy.
Do it when the weather looks stable. The pass can change mood fast. This is a route note, not a guided outing.